Player Profile: Stilian Petrov

Last updated : 28 June 2007 By Roland Huxley

It's fair to say that 'Stan' endured a tough first season, fading after a promising start. The Villa faithful had been promised a creative, technically-proficient attacking midfielder whose experience in Scotland would have prepared him well for the high-tempo, high-physicality demands of the English game - what they got was a player lacking mobility and struggling for confidence and form. Whether it was the quality of the Premiership, a reduction in the freedom to attack he enjoyed at Celtic, or simply an over eagerness to impress, Petrov left the nagging feeling that his best was a still a long way off. Hopefully the expected influx of talent to Villa Park, and the competition that will bring, will see him recreate the form he showed at Celtic which made him one of the most sought after transfer targets of 2006.